The green-roof requirements — along with new standards — would apply to most new buildings of at least 25,000 square feet, to existing buildings above that threshold when their roofs are replaced, and to existing buildings when additions cause their floor area to reach that threshold. Solar panels or “green roof” components would have to cover at least 20 percent of a roof’s surface, depending on the building’s size.

Denver’s building and commercial real estate industries are geared up to fight the measure. They contend it would impose costly mandates that in some cases are unworkable, especially in semi-arid Denver, where plants must be watered more often.

But proponents argue that the green-roof mandates, which would be among the most stringent in the nation, would improve Denver’s sustainability, encourage urban agriculture and improve the city’s air quality.

Jon Murray is an enterprise reporter on The Denver Post's government and politics team, with a focus on transportation. He previously covered Denver Mayor Michael Hancock and the workings of city government. A Colorado native, he joined The Denver Post in 2014 after reporting on city government and the legal system for The Indianapolis Star.

Denver police have increasingly focused curfew enforcement in Latino neighborhoods in recent years — with a special emphasis on Cinco de Mayo and other holidays — while other areas have seen much less enforcement.